Using Twitter to Connect with the Media

Media relations is an important part of any PR and marketing strategy. By connecting with the media and building solid relationships with the right reporters, you can position yourself and your company to get valuable coverage that increases your brand exposure and helps you grow your business.

Thanks to Twitter, connecting with the media is easier than ever before. Reporters love using Twitter to interact with readers, share news, and even chase down leads and sources for stories.

So, how can you use Twitter to connect with the media in a beneficial manner? Here are some tips to help you out.

Find the reporters—The first thing you need to do is actually find reporters to connect with on Twitter. This is actually pretty easy. There are sites dedicated to tracking journalists on Twitter, such as Muck Rack and Journalist Tweets. Additionally, many reporters now include links to their Twitter profiles in the byline to their story. And of course, you can always just Google “(reporter’s name) Twitter” to find one’s profile that way.

Make sure your profile is complete—When you follow a reporter on Twitter or interact with them, they’ll likely click on your profile to see who you are and what you do. It’s important to make sure that your Twitter profile is filled out completely. Don’t be vague with your profile description. Make it clear who you are, what you do, where you’re from, etc. This makes you appear as a real person and a more credible source.

Date before you propose—You shouldn’t start pestering a reporter to cover your company or use you as a source the second you start following them on Twitter. You have to nurture the relationship and get to know each other first. There are many ways you can do this, from complimenting a reporter on a story they wrote to sharing interesting content with them to just having a fun, lighthearted interaction with them.

Find queries for expert sources—Follow both @ProfNet and @HelpAReporter as these accounts Tweet queries from reporters who need sources for their stories. By paying attention to Tweets from these accounts, you could find yourself in the right place at the right time to become a source for a reporter.

Floods of reporters are on Twitter. By using these tips, you can connect with them and position yourself for more opportunities to get free exposure.